Jinstain
Training that week was brutal. Conor and Kerrigan worked together every morning along with the dragoons. With each day, Kerrigan's wounds continued to heal and her old skill and speed returned. By the end of the week, the Dragoons had little hope of keeping track of Kerrigan and Conor as they twirled in and out with their practice daggers. Their fights often took them right through the midst of the other training sessions, the dragoons cursing as a whirlwind tore between them only to have Kerrigan or Conor materialize seconds later on the other side of the roof top.
When their final session ended , Conor was putting away the training blades when Kerrigan looked up at him and said, "Conor, Your Gala is coming up soon right?"
"Yes, Peter is about ready to let us make it public. We have been talking to the community, and many of the major CEO's in the area and setting everything up, but I think Monday we have a planning session on the schedule and then Tuesday is the official announcement. There is to be an official press release from the new site and everything. The Gala itself is planned for three weeks after."
"Is there a chance that I might be able to get some better clothes before that?"
"Hu?"
"Conor, you may not have noticed, but I have not exactly been able to get out in over two weeks. I have cloths sure, but nothing that actually, umm, 'fits'. It would be nice to have something nice if there is going to be press and a Gala in the near future. Now that I am healed, perhaps it would be safe enough to venture into town."
Conor glanced to Eli, and then to Parker and Reilynn. Each nodded in turn, so he said, "I think our defenders agree that is doable. I will admit I don't know the best places to find dresses and such."
Kerrigan smiled, and the look melted his heart. "Not to worry. Last time we were here, Natalie and I found an amazing designer. Zelgan Dries is known even in Targu Province. I am sure he will be happy to work with us. Shall we do some shopping tomorrow? He may even get you a new suit."
Conor's mouth went dry as he remembered the name Dries. His suits were in fact from Zelgan Dries. "If that is where you want to go, I suppose we can make that work."
"The mall his store is in actually has several shops that are now partnered with Dragon Corporation. Natalie took a fancy to several of them, so we began working with their owners to help with their financing. It seems the mall owners are still rather harsh on their rent."
"The Cochan family are tough negotiators."
"You know them?" Kerrigan asked, as they walked down the stairs, back inside.
"My ex's family."
"Ah. Well, that should be interesting."
"I suppose it depends on how much of a scene we make."
"How much of a scene do you want to make?" Kerrigan asked playfully, placing a hand on his chest and looking up at him.
Conor's heart sped up, but he chose to continue walking forward as Parker came up behind them. "I would prefer to keep thinks low key. The divorce was signed, and they are no longer part of my life. As long as they don't cause issue for me and mine, I have no intention of making life hard on then."
"And if they chose to be a thorn?"
"This dragon has wings and claws now. I will defend my own." Conor said, eyes intense.
Kerrigan donned a black face mask. She had gotten used to wearing one in Targu Province just to help with the cold air. Now it helped mask her identity to some degree. She also put on her knee high boots and a light gray sweater. She liked this outfit that Evelynn had gotten her, but she was thrilled to finally get a chance to have some clothes tailored to her again. Most of what Evelynn picked out tended to hide her figure, not complement it. She wondered if it was intentional on Evelynn's part. She made her way out into the hallway, still marveling that she was able to do this under her own power again. Her hand went to Abraxas's pendent.
'I will find a way to restore your power.'
Only a gentle brush of consciousness reassured her he still resided within the stone.
As she made her way to the ground level, her team began joining her, fanning out on each side. Evelynn on her left, Gabriella on her right, and Reilynn at her back. They made a deadly wedge, and a formidable sight. She smirked as she saw Parker and Conor waiting for them at the front doors. Both men gulped as the entourage passed them and headed for the waiting SUV.
Parker leapt to open the doors for the ladies and Conor grabbed the other side. The newly designed SUV the Mr. Nuri had acquired for them was amazing it was an extended style black SUV with double doors for the passage compartment. Inside, two sets of seats faced each other. Reilynn climbed in first, taking up the seat directly behind the driver, where she would be able to easily watch out the back window. Gabriella stepped to the front passenger seat, leaving Evelynn and Kerrigan to decide who would sit next to Conor.
Kerrigan signed as she gave her guards a sideways glare that she hoped conveyed her disapproval at their antics and slid into the rear seat, while Evelynn took up the forward seat next to Reilynn. Conor went to climb in and froze when he saw the arrangements.
He smiled, "Remind me that we need more than one car in the future. Do you mind?" he gestured to the seat next to her and she patted the seat in welcome.
"I don't bite, often." She quipped. She heard Reilynn and Evelynn try to stifle a giggle, so she said, "Reilynn might, if you asked her nicely."
"Celia and Abraxas help me." Conor said softly as he slid into the seat next to Kerrigan.
When they arrived at the mall, Conor let the ladies out first but hung back for a moment with Parker. Kerrigan watched as Conor scanned the front of the building, an odd look crossing his face. She wasn't sure if it was longing, or a sense of loss or some semblance of both perhaps.
"Everything ok?" she asked.
Conor's attention slid off the building and he looked at her with a glassy expression. She looked up at the three-story brick building and asked, "Some bad memories from here?"
"I actually had my first shop here. Celia's Herbals. I sold soaps and different body wash items. That was before my mother died. Let's just say I lost focus for a while, and my ex-wife never forgave me for it."
"Ex?"
"Her family still owns this mall. Hopefully they are not here today. Anyway. We were going to see Mr. Dries. He actually designed my suits."
"I thought I recognized his work." Kerrigan said with a wink. "Come on." she tugged on Conor's arm, leading him into the mall. They made their way up to the second floor where Kerrigan found the shop. The signage for Zelgan Dries glowed bright and Kerrigan tugged Conor inside. She noticed Parker decided to take up a position at the entrance and Reilynn had already vanished in that disturbing way she always managed to do.
Soon a voluptuous woman stepped out from the racks, decked out in a dress of frill and colors. "What do we have here? Well, I see at least one of you has some taste." She said, eying Conor's suite. "Miss, you have some potential at least, but we will need to work on this over all look."
"Then I suppose I came to the right place." Said Kerrigan with a smile. "Is Mr. Dries in?"
"He is indeed, though it is rare for him to come out for just anyone."
Conor smiled and caught Madam Lucre attention. "Madam Lucre, it is good to see you again."
Madam Lucre looked Conor up and down. "Well, well. You do indeed clean up well. I would recognize that design anywhere. Peter's friend, right? Mr. Brantley?"
"Yes. Please tell Mr. Dries he has some special guests."
A minute later Mr. Zelgan Dries came out from the back followed by Carlos. "Ah, my 48-79-66! I enjoyed this design very much. Mr. Conor Brantley, good to finally meet you in person. Carlos did good work on this one I see."
Conor grinned and shook Mr. Dries hand. "The whole set has done well. I may be in the market for a new one. I have a formal Gala planed for the end of the month and there will be many press conferences between now and then."
Mr. Dries face lit up. "Publicity? This we can do! Carlos, assemble the team."
Kerrigan frowned and cleared her throat. "Hehem. I believe the purpose of coming out today was to get ME a new wardrobe. You can get a suit too, but I MUST have a few new things."
Mr. Dries took a look at her and his eyes went wide. "Miss, if I do not miss my guess, I would recognize that voice anywhere, are you-"
Kerrigan raised a hand in warning, "In disguise and trying to not be noticed but yes. You have designed for me before."
"Miss.. Ah. Well, it is an honor to have you in my store. Is there a name I should use while you are here?"
Kerrigan thought for a moment. "Call me, Eibhlin."
She grinned at Conor's shocked look and let Carlos's team of aids lead her away to a different part of the shop.